HOT-SHOT Chris Partridge struck twice in the space of 14 minutes to earn Bedworth United their first victory of the season.

The visitors were forced to defend for long periods and fell behind to a Chris Parkins, but Partridge - signed in the close season from Coventry Marconi - secured victory with a well taken double.

Andy Cheetham, Chris Gray and Neil Kitchin all tested Bedworth keeper Craig Glover early on, and the Greenbacks shot stopper did well to keep out a Parkins strike.

United should have broken the deadlock nine minutes before the break, but Adam Webster shot straight at goalkeeper James Lindley after good work by Paul John and Partridge.

Gresley went in front 10 minutes in to the second half when Parkins fired home at the second attempt after his first effort had came back of the post.

Alex Green should have doubled the lead only to blaze over but Bedworth drew level on 64 minutes. Nathan Thompson's cross seemed to be handled in the area and even though referee Steve Flanaghan originally blew for a penalty play was allowed to go on and Partridge lashed the ball home from close range.

Gray blazed wide of an open goal and on 78 minutes Kitchin's header came back of the bar but Bedworth raced up field to grab a shock lead. Lindley mis-kicked his clearance and the red hot Partridge raced through to slide the ball into the unguarded net.

Partridge had a third goal ruled out for hand ball while Paul White was thwarted by Lindley.

Bedworth assistant boss Marcus Law said: "Perhaps we did not deserve the points as they missed a lot of chances - but we battled away for 90 minutes and managed to get the right result in the end".